Stimpson names new Community Development director

Nigel Roberts became the most recent addition to Mayor Sandy Stimpson’s administration when it was announced March 11 he was hired as the city’s new Director of Community Planning and Development Programs. Roberts replaces Alex Ikefuna, whose tenure appears to be unsuccessfully defended by activists from the Plateau community, who urged Stimpson last month to retain him.

Nigel Roberts

Roberts arrives from Delray Beach, Fla., where he served as Community Development Administrator. He previously served as Economic and Community Development Director in Fairfield, Ala., from 2005-2010. According to his résumé, he has served in various other economic and community development capacities since 1994.

He has a bachelor’s degree in Marketing from Alabama A&M University and a master’s degree in General Administration from Central Michigan University.

“Nigel Roberts has an outstanding background in community and economic development combined with a detailed knowledge of state and federal grant programs, making him an ideal candidate to fill this important position,” Stimpson said. “We are pleased to welcome him to the City of Mobile and know he will be an asset to all of our citizens.”

Roberts will be responsible for management and oversight of the city’s Community Planning and Development programs funded by the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development and other associated grant programs. He will report directly to the Mayor and began the new job effective Feb. 28.

At $95,000 per year, Roberts will earn the same salary Ikefuna did, according to Chief of Staff Colby Cooper, who added that Ikefuna is helping Roberts transition into the job but will leave the city effective April 11.

Roberts attended today’s city council meeting but was not available for questioning.

About The Author

Gabriel Tynes joined Lagniappe in January 2012 as a web editor and reporter. He was promoted to assistant managing editor when the paper became a weekly publication in 2014. He is a graduate of the University of South Alabama and has previous journalism and public relations experience in the Florida Panhandle and Baldwin County. He lives in midtown Mobile with his two sons.